(1.) Indwelling sin is fixed on as the next cause of declensions and backslidings, This the apostle in this epistle chargeth (under the names of a “root of bitterness,” of “the sin that doth so easily be- set us,” an “evil heart of unbelief,” and the like) with the guilt of this evil. And he himself declares this principle to be deceitful, subtile; that is, close, secret, hidden in its operation and tendency, Heb. iii. 13. To this purpose is seducing, enticing, and craft as- signed unto it in the Scripture. And it hath among others innu- merable this advantage also, that being within us, dwelling in us, having possessed itself of the principles of our natures, it can in- sinuate all its corrupt and perverse reasonings, under the specious pretence of natural self-love, which is allowable. This our apostle was aware of, and therefore tells us that when he was called to
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preach the gospel he “conferred not with flesh and blood,” Gal. i. 16. By “flesh and blood” no more is intended but human nature as weak and frail. But in and by them the deceitfulness of sin is so ready to impose upon us its own corrupt reasonings, that the apostle thought not meet to entertain a parley with the very principles of his own nature about self-preservation. But this deceitfulness of sin I have handled at large in another treatise. Here only I ob- serve, that the effects of this deceitful principle are, at least in their beginnings and first entrances, very close and secret, open only to the eye of Christ,
(2.) Satan also hath a principal hand in effecting or bringing about the declension of men from and in their profession. It is his main work, business, and employment in the world. This is the end of all his temptations and serpentine insinuations into the minds of professors. Whatever be the particular instance wherein he dealeth with them, his general design is to draw them off from their “ first faith,” their “first love,” their “first works,” and to loosen their hearts from Christ and the gospel And I suppose it is not ques- tioned but that he carrieth on his work subtilely, secretly, craftily. He is not called the “old serpent” for nothing. It is a composition of craft and malice that hath laid him under that denomination. His methods, his depths, his deceits, are we cautioned against. Hereabout treats our apostle with the Corinthians, 2 Epist. xi. 3, “TJ fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.” It is true Eve was so beguiled, but who should now beguile the Corinthians? Even the same old deceiver, as he informs them, verse 14, “ For Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light ;” namely, in his fair and plausible pretences for the accomplish- ment of his wicked and abominable ends. He works in this matter by deceit, beguiling the souls of men, and therefore doth his work secretly, closely ; for “in vain is the net spread before the eyes of any fowl.” But his work also lies under the eye of Christ.
(3.) The world also hath its share in this design. The “ cares of it,” and “the deceitfulness of riches,” further this pernicious work on the minds and ways of professors, Matt. xii. 22. By them is the seed of the gospel choked, when they pretend only to grow up with it, and that there is a fair consistency between them and profession.
Now, though backsliding from Christ and the gospel be thus dis- tinetly assigned to these causes, and severally to one in one place, to another in another, and that as they are especially or eminently predominant in the singular instances mentioned, and so the effect is denominated from them,—this is from indwelling sin, this from Satan, and that from the world; yet indeed there is no apostasy or declension in the minds of any which is not influenced by them
376 | AN EXPOSITION OF THE [CHAP. IV.
all, and they are mutually assistant to each other in their work. Now, where there is a contribution of subtilty and craft from several principles all deeply depraved with that vicious habit, the work it- self must needs be close and hidden, which craft and deceit do prin- cipally aim at; as that poison must needs be pernicious which is compounded of many poisonous ingredients, all inciting the venom of one another. But the Lord Christ looks through all this hidden and deceitful work, which no eye of man can pierce into.
Again, The conjunct reasonings of these deceitful principles, whereby they prevail with professors to backsliding, are plausible, and thereby the malignity of them and their secret influencing of their minds hardly discernible. Many of them may be referred unto these heads, wherein they do consist:—(1.) Hatenuations of duties and sins. (2.) Aggravations of difficulties and troubles. (3.) Sug- gestions of false rules of profession.
Profession is our avowed observation of all evangelical duties, on the account of the authority of Christ commanding them; and ab- stinence from conformity to the world in all evil, on the same forbid- ding it. The forementioned principles labour by all ways to extenuate these duties, as to their necessity and importance. Granted it shall be that they are duties, it may be, but not of that consideration but that they may be omitted or neglected. Consider the severals, in that which is comprehensive of them all :—